CARES Act

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

The CARES Act allocates funds to support individuals and businesses/organizations, including colleges and universities, affected by the pandemic and economic downturn.

Texas Woman's has received funds under the CARES Act and is working to provide emergency assistance to as many students as possible to help them meet their emergency financial needs during this challenging time.

1. Acknowledgement

An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

TWU signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement. The university will award $8,683,388 ($4,341,694 for HEERF I and $4,341,694 for HEERF II) of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

2. Total Amount Received

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

The total amount of funds that TWU has received since April 25, 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $22,495,133 ($4,341,694 for HEERF I, $4,341,694 for HEERF II and $13,811,745).

3. Total Amount Distributed to Students

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $22,165,689.20 ($4,336,683.20 for HEERF I, $4,341,694.00 for HEERF II and $13,487,312.00 for HEERF III) as of Sept. 30, 2022.

4. Estimated Total Number of Eligible Students

The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

The estimated total number of students at TWU eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive emergency grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 8,790.

5. Total Number of Student Recipients

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

The total number of TWU students who received an emergency grant under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 14,652 (3,279 for HEERF I, 3,552 for HEERF II and 7,821 for HEERF III) as of Sept. 30, 2022.

6. Method Used to Determine Eligibility

The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Students submitted CARES Act emergency financial aid grant applications indicating their need for funds due to expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

The FAFSA was used to confirm that recipients met the eligibility requirements of the CARES Act. Students could receive up to $1,250 (HEERF I) or up to $1,000 (HEERF II).

7. Information and Application Instructions for Students

Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Information regarding the application for, and awarding of, the CARES Act emergency aid grants was published on the university’s CARE website. Additionally, an email was sent to students with the link to the page/application.

About CARES Act Funds, Eligibility Guidelines

HEERF II

For HEERF II (CRRSSA) students were determined eligible for the block grant by need level as determined by the 2020-21 FAFSA and prior HEERF funding received. For Spring and Summer 2021 the maximum award for Pell recipients was $1,000. This approach follows Department of Education guidance to college and university presidents, encouraged institutions to prioritize funding for those students with the greatest need, while also distributing grants as widely as possible for maximum impact.

Updated: July 9, 2021

HEERF I

Per the U.S. Department of Education, international, dual credit, non-U.S.-citizen students and students enrolled exclusively in online courses prior to March 13, 2020 are not eligible for CARES Act funding.

Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service has released an FAQ has issued guidance regarding student emergency grant aid.

Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. To be a Title IV-eligible student under Section 484 of the HEA, the student must:

Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree certificate or other recognized educational credential (including a program of study abroad approved for credit by the eligible institution at which such student is enrolled) - - that is, a regular student under 34 CFR 600.2;
Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school and have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP) if the student is a currently enrolled student;
Not owe an overpayment (refund) on Title IV grants;
Not be in default on a Title IV loan;
File with ED “as part of the original financial aid application process” a certification (Statement of Educational Purpose) that includes:
- A statement of educational purpose, and
- The student’s Social Security Number (SSN);
Be a U.S. citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen;
Have returned any fraudulently obtained Title IV funds, if the student tis convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges;
Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate loan limits;
Have repaid any Title IV loan overpayment amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits, if obtained inadvertently;
Have his Selective Service registration verified (the Title IV aid ineligibility for failure to register is actually in the Selective Service Act;
Have a valid SSN, except for residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau; and
Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

The estimated total number of students at TWU eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act during Spring 2020 were 8,790 (excluding withdrawals).